Veterans’ Bonuses and Annuities
Bonuses
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides a bonus to veterans of certain designated campaigns who were domiciled in Massachusetts immediately prior to entry in the armed forces. In case of the death of a veteran, the spouse and children, mother or father, brother or sister or other dependents of the deceased veteran (in that order) are eligible for a bonus.
Ch. 731 of the Acts of 1945
World War II veterans (see Definitions section) are eligible for a bonus according to the following stipulations:
- Those veterans who performed one day to six months’ active service are eligible for a $100 bonus;
- Those veterans who performed six months’ or more stateside service are eligible for a $200 bonus;
- Those veterans who performed foreign service are eligible for a $300 bonus.
Ch. 440 of the Acts of 1953
Korean veterans (see Definitions section) are eligible for a bonus according to the following stipulations:
- Those veterans who performed 90 days stateside duty are eligible for a $100 bonus.
- Those veterans who performed six months’ or more duty are eligible for a $200 bonus.
- Those veterans who served one or more days outside of the continental limits of the United States or performed foreign service are eligible for a $300 bonus.
Ch. 646 of the Acts of 1968
Vietnam veterans who performed six months’ active duty from July 1, 1958, and prior to May 17, 1975, are eligible for a bonus according to the following stipulations:
- Those veterans who served six months’ or more active duty are eligible for a $200 bonus;
- Those veterans who served on duty in Vietnam are eligible for a $300 bonus.
Ch. 153 of the Acts of 1992
Persian Gulf veterans who performed 30 days or more during the period of August 2, 1990 to April 10, 1991, and whose service was under honorable conditions are eligible for a bonus according to the following stipulations:
- Those veterans who performed active service in the Persian Gulf area (war zone or contiguous waters) and who are in receipt of the Southwest Asia Service Medal established by executive order of the President on March 13, 1991, are eligible for a $500 bonus;
- Those veterans who were called to active service in support of said war including as members of the Army National Guard or Air National Guard or as Reservists in the armed forces of the United States in an area other than the Persian Gulf are eligible for a $300 bonus.
Ch. 132 of the Acts of 2009, s. 14
Amends Ch. 153 of the Acts of 1992 to allow active duty personnel to apply.
Ch. 130 of the Acts of 2005
Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Noble Eagle veterans who were discharged under honorable conditions are eligible for a bonus. The applicant must have lived in the Commonwealth for six months prior to entry into such military service.
- Those veterans who performed active service outside the continental limits of the United States in the Afghanistan or Iraq area as those areas as described by the proper federal authority are eligible for a $1,000 bonus.
- Those veterans who performed active duty within the continental limits of the United States or outside the continental limits of the United States other than in the Afghanistan or Iraq areas for a period of six months or more are eligible for a $500 bonus.
Ch. 132 of the Acts of 2009, s. 11
Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a resident of the Commonwealth who is sent overseas as a member of the Armed Forces and is eligible to receive Ch. 130 of the Acts of 2005 above may receive such benefits each time he/she is deployed; provided, however, that an eligible resident shall receive the full bonus allowed upon return after his/her first deployment and 50 percent of the bonus after each subsequent deployment, provided that appropriated funding is available and the state treasurer certifies that the relevant account has sufficient funds to maintain such an initiative.
Contact information
For Persian Gulf veterans only:
Veterans’ Bonus Division, Department of Veterans’ Services
600 Washington Street, Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 210-5927
www.mass.gov/veterans
Email: mdvs@vet.state.ma.us
For all other wartime veterans
Office of the Treasurer
One Ashburton Place 12th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 367-3900, x543
(617) 367-9333, x539 (OEF/OIF/ONE veterans only)
www.mass.gov/treasury
Email: veteransbonus@tre.state.ma.us
Annuities
M.G.L. ch. 115, s.6, 6B, 6C and 108 CMR 9.01, Acts of 2005, ch. 130
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Department of Veterans’ Services provide an annuity in the amount of $2000 to 100% service-connected disabled veterans. This annuity is payable biannually on August 1st and February 1st in two installments of $1000 each. It is granted to 100% service-connected disabled veterans, to the surviving parents (Gold Star Parents) and the un-remarried spouses (Gold Star Wives or Husbands) of certain deceased veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country during wartime. Each has a separate application form.
Eligibility for annuity benefit by veteran
An applicant veteran who satisfies the following prerequisites shall be eligible to receive a special benefit payment of $2000 in the form of an annuity:
- Meets one of the service time requirements set forth in M.G.L. ch. 115, s.6A, 6B, and 6C;
- Has received an honorable discharge from military service;
- Any person who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States for a period of at least 180 days and whose last discharge was under honorable conditions and continues to be a resident of the Commonwealth;
- Meets the requirements for blindness, paraplegia, double amputation or other disability set forth in M.G.L. ch. 115, s.6B and is so certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Proof of service and disability shall be furnished to the Secretary of DVS as per M.G.L. ch. 115, s.6CH.
Application procedure for annuity benefit by surviving parents or un-remarried spouse
The annuity applicant must be a resident of the Commonwealth at the time of filing and also continue to reside in Massachusetts. Payments shall be due and payable from the date of the application. To receive the annuity, the applicant must complete the application, submit a copy of discharge (DD Form 214), a recent VA award letter, and a W-9 form (for address verification). An optional Direct Deposit Authorization may also be submitted. An application may also be obtained by regular mail by calling the Veterans’ Service Officer at the local City/Town Hall, or from the Department of Veterans’ Services either by phone or online.
Contact information
Department of Veterans’ Services
600 Washington Street, Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 210-5927
www.mass.gov/veterans
Email: mdvs@vet.state.ma.us
PLYMOUTH MASS Veterans Service Officer: